Caprese Tortellini Salad

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Caprese Tortellini Salad is what summer is all about! Cheese tortellini is tossed with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Then it’s drizzled with balsamic glaze.

Caprese Tortellini Salad in a white serving bowl with a wooden spoon.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I’m the queen of summer salads. I can’t stop making them! It’s a toss-up if I love caprese salads or pasta salads more. This Tortellini Caprese Salad is the best of both worlds!

I just can’t keep my hands off those fresh cherry tomatoes at the farmer’s market. And y’all know that fresh basil grows like crazy in my garden. Toss those with tortellini, fresh mozzarella balls, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, and you will have the summer salad of your dreams.

It’s easy to make in less than 15 minutes and is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or side dish for a BBQ, cookout, or beach picnic. Keep this recipe in your back pocket because once you make it, everyone will be requesting it over and over again.

Love Caprese as much as I do? Try these fun tortellini caprese skewers or this spinach caprese salad.

Ingredients

This easy Tortellini Pasta Salad comes together with just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients.

Tortellini: I recommend fresh cheese tortellini in this salad, but frozen works too. Look for fresh tortellini in the refrigerated section of your grocery store.
Tomatoes: Ripe cherry or grape tomatoes are a must! I love using cherry tomatoes for their extra sweet flavor, but both work well in this dish. Read more about grape tomatoes vs cherry tomatoes.
Mozzarella Cheese: Fresh mini mozzarella balls for that creamy texture. You can cut a large mozzarella ball into bite-sized pieces, half ciliegine balls, or use mozzarella pearls.
Basil: Fresh basil leaves, sliced. Dried basil will not work in this recipe.
Olive Oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
Balsamic Vinegar: Choose your favorite balsamic vinegar.
Sea Salt: Just a pinch of sea salt to make the flavors pop.
Balsamic Glaze: For drizzling over the salad for an extra sweet and tangy finish.

*The full ingredient list with amounts is in the recipe card below.

How to Make Caprese Tortellini Salad

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tortellini to al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and run them under cold water for 1-2 minutes until cooled.
Place the tortellini, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil in a large bowl. Add the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of sea salt. Gently toss until combined.
Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the top before serving. Serve cold, and enjoy!

Chopped cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil on a cutting board with a knife.

Tortellini Caprese Salad in a white bowl with a spoon before mixing.

Expert Tip: Cook the tortellini until al dente. You don’t want them to become soggy.

Variations

I love an easy pasta salad recipe that’s super customizable.

Swap out the pasta. Not a fan of tortellini? You can use your favorite pasta shape! Ziti or small shells would be great options. For another filled pasta option, you can try small ravioli.
Use pesto. Leave out the balsamic vinegar and balsamic glaze. Instead, toss it with your favorite pesto, like this homemade almond basil pesto.
Add a protein. Make it a complete meal by topping it with grilled chicken or shrimp.
Make it gluten-free. Use a gluten-free tortellini or your favorite gluten-free pasta.

Serving Suggestions

Cold pasta salad like this Caprese Tortellini Salad is perfect for serving on hot summer days. It’s great for a potluck, BBQ, or cookout. You can serve it for an easy dinner, since it’s also filling enough for a meal.

It’s simple enough for an everyday dish but also perfect for impressing everyone at gatherings with family and friends.

Make Ahead and Storage

Make Ahead: This salad is great for making ahead to save time before dinner or to meal prep for lunch the next day.

To Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Can I make it ahead of time?

Yes! You can make Tortellini Caprese Salad ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 2 days.

What should I serve with pasta salad?

Serve pasta salad with your favorite grilled mains, like chicken, steak, or burgers. It’s also great for a side with sandwiches or on its own with some fresh crusty bread.

More Pasta Salad Recipes

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